ASCENSION SCHOOL

Camp and Conference Center

Parent & Camper Handbook

Ascension School Camp and Conference Center P.O. Box 278

Cove, Oregon 97824 www.coveascensionschool.com

Ascension School is an essential ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon. Our mission is to provide a place apart for all of God’s children to gather and to share, to be refreshed by the joy of God’s creation, nurtured in the bounty of holy love and challenged to the ministry of Christ’s Gospel.

Table of Contents

Introduction …………….…………………………………………...1

Typical Daily Activities…...……………………………………...2- 3

Our Goals For Campers..………………………………………..3-4

What to Bring To Camp……………….……………………………5

Arrival/Departure and Transportation for Camp…………..…..6-7 Health Care at Camp...…………………………………………..8-9 General Facility Policies…….………………………………..10-11

Ascension School Community Guidelines………………… 12-13

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Introduction

Welcome to Ascension School Camp and Conference Center. Since 1924, Ascension School youth camps have had a tradition of providing an ecumenical camping experience that emphasizes the experiences of Christian community.

The purpose of this handbook is to keep you informed about activities and procedures at Ascension School and to assist you with preparing for camp.

Dear Parents, Welcome, we look forward to having your child at camp. The purpose of camp is to provide a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate program for children age preschool-12 grade. Our camps are broken out into age groups serving 3rd-5th, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th-12th grades. We also have, Discovery Camp, a 2 day camp, designed to introduce young children and parents to our summer camp program. If you would like to learn more about Discovery Camp visit our website at www.coveascensionschool.com. Each week of camp is designed to meet the developmental needs of the different age groups. During a week of camp your camper will be involved in many activities focused on the summer’s theme. These activities include games, arts and crafts, hiking, swimming and Christian formation activities. The resident staff (counselors) help plan and lead the activities. Games include large outdoor activities as well as small group get to know you games. The arts and crafts range from making jewelry to working with clay and copper enameling. Campers attend chapel in the morning and directly following that they have small reflection groups (Family Groups). Please see our sample schedule for an overview of what a day at camp looks like. In addition to the sample schedule you can also check out our “Typical Activities” to find more information on daily activities.

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Typical Daily Activities

Family Groups Family group activities vary according to the curricula and the strengths and interests of group leaders. Typically, one Resource Staff person and one Resident Staff or Junior Counselor are responsible for leading a small group of 6 - 10 campers for the entire camp session. Held after chapel, family groups provide an opportunity for campers to get to know one another and reflect on camp themes in a safe, small group setting. Family groups are also responsible for serving the larger group in a number of different ways during the camp session, including taking turns doing K.P., chapel planning, gardening, and other contributions to the wider camp community. Morning Activity Morning activity is a time when the whole camp comes together and participates in a group activity. In years past these have included cooperative games; all-camp kickball; capture the chicken; Giants, Wizards, and Elves; giant slip and slide; tag games; softball; Ancients and Horribles; costume kickball; giant Twister; and large group activities related to the day’s theme. Cabin Time Cabin time is a period of time after lunch for reflection, rest, letter writing, and reading. Younger campers are expected to remain in their cabins during this time under the supervision of a Resource Staff member. At the discretion of the Resource Staff member, senior high campers may also relax on the lawn outside their cabins during this time. Interest Blocks Two interest blocks are offered each afternoon (45 – 55 minutes each, depending on the age group). Resource Staff, Resident Staff, and Junior Counselors work together to plan and lead a variety of age-appropriate activities for small groups of campers. These may include hiking, outdoor sports, arts and crafts activities, baking, movie making, and so on. Campers sign up for interest groups each day during cabin time. Typically, the cabin group that did the best job cleaning their cabin earlier that day gets to sign up first. Swimming Campers go swimming at the Cove Swimming Pool most afternoons (and occasionally in the evenings) at camp. All campers are expected to go to the pool, but they are not required to swim if they don’t want to. Campers opting not to swim must remain in the park next to the pool, under the supervision of a staff member. The program director and staff will determine at the outset of each camp whether or not to allow campers to purchase candy from the concession stand at the pool. Campers who have received this privilege will lose it if litter becomes a problem. A minimum of three staff people are required to supervise the trip to the pool.

Evening Programs Whole group activities in the evening vary by age group but may include activities such as Counselor Hunt; Clue; talent shows; campfire; carnival; contra dancing; and Sunset Eucharist.

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Circle Circle is a tradition at Ascension School dating back to the 1920s. At the close of the day, all members of the camp community join hands and sing the Cove hymn. Each program director will close the day in a different way, but will generally encourage campers to think of Circle as a time to reflect on the day past. Night Owl This is an unstructured but closely supervised time between Circle and lights out for senior high campers to hang out in the Remington Room, on the deck, or at the campfire. Junior high campers may have a shorter and more structured version of Night Owl, typically held in Founders or French Hall.

Goals and Outcomes for Campers

Our Camp Objectives and Goals are:

We will provide a place of learning, open discussion and acceptance

We will provide positive guidance and support to every camper

We will foster a sense of security in each camper

We will embrace the difference of all individuals and encourage campers to do the same

We will encourage and support creativity

We will provide opportunities for the formation of interpersonal relationships and appropriate

social skills.

We will introduce the summer theme through a variety of reflective, artistic, and experiential

environmental activities.

We will challenge campers to be receptive to new ideas and experiences.

We will provide a safe and healthy, environment to complete the goals we set forth to achieve.

We will provide opportunities for all members of the camp community to participate actively and

meaningfully in program activities.

We will have fun and enjoy the Ascension Experience.

Campers Will:

Be introduced to ways they can grow in relationship with God and each other

Discover connectedness within camp and fellow campers

Explore ways they can care for creation

Explore how they make choices and how they affect others globally and locally

Name their gifts and talents and how they can use them to care for the environment and each

other.

Identify and challenge barriers to working cooperatively to care for creation

Invest in acts of stewardship that reflect creation care in community

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What to Bring to Camp

Summer and cool weather clothing

Warm Jacket

Swim Suit and sunscreen (labeled)

Water shoes

Tennis shoes/ shoes to run in

Sleeping bag and twin fitted sheet

Pillow

Flashlight

Camera

Towel and toiletries

Pen, Pencil, stationary, stamps

One white t-shirt for tye-dyeing (optional)

Bring a Friend

Please leave cell phones and electronic devices at home. Cell phones will be kept in custody of staff.

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Transportation Information

Arrival and Departure: When bringing your camper to camp please plan to arrive at Ascension School no earlier than 3:00 p.m. and no later than 5:00 p.m.. on the first day of camp. There will not be staff available to supervise your child before 3:00p.m., unless prior arrangements are made. When arriving at camp please park in the designated parking area in front of Founder’s Hall. Founder’s Hall is where you will register and check your child in for camp. You will be greeted by the Ascension School staff on the front porch of Founder’s Hall. If your child has any electronics, (cell phones, iPods, game systems etc.) please take them with you! Ascension School Camp and Conference Center will assume responsibility for a camper when they are dropped off during a camp session registration time until the last morning of camp. Camp concludes after breakfast on the last day of a session. Campers must be picked up during the pick- up time 8:00-9:00 am, unless other arrangement have been made with and approved by the Program Director. If a camper is not picked up during the designated time and other arrangements haven’t been made, a designated program staff will call the contact person on the camper’s registration form. Parents will be notified by Registrar staff if a camper who is registered for camp does not show up during registration time, 3-5 pm. Registrar staff will inquire whether the camper will be arriving later of if they are no longer interested in attending that camp session. The staff person will notify the Ascension School program staff and administrative office of the status of the camper’s registration. If a parent notifies the Ascension School administration office of camper’s possible late arrival, the office will notify the program staff immediately of the details. Ascension School will only release campers to their legal guardians unless otherwise noted on their registration forms. If alternate travel plans need to be made during a camp session, the campers guardian must call Ascension School and speak with the Program Director or the Executive Director to make appropriate plans. The person picking up the camper must present the program staff and or Director with a photo id. If the pick-up site is a bus stop site the administrative staff will call the bus company with the name and number of the individual picking

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up the camper. If the camper is being picked up at a bus stop the individual picking the camper up must present the bus driver with a photo id. If there is an emergency and the child must be transported home by a volunteer of the camp, a transportation permission slip must be signed by the guardian of the camper and faxed to the camp. The volunteers transporting the child will be approved drivers who 25 years or older.

Bus Transportation Information

If your child is riding the bus please indicate the appropriate trip on your registration form. See our website for current bus schedule www.coveascensionschool.com. Please be sure to note the time and location that you will need to drop your child off and pick them up. Not all of the drop-off locations have supervision so please do not leave your child until they have boarded the camp bus. Please be sure to be there to pick your child up at the time indicated. Ascension School will have a counselor on the bus for the supervision of your child until they reach Ascension School grounds. The camp bus is owned and operated by mid- Columbia Bus Company. In case of an emergency Ascension School does have contact with the bus company’s main office during bus operating times and our counselor will communicate with the bus driver as needed. Bus Conduct: Campers are expected to conduct themselves in a safe and orderly manner while riding the camp bus.

Campers being transported are under the authority of the bus driver

Campers need to be on time for the bus

When necessary to cross the road, campers shall cross in front of the bus or instructed by the

bus driver

Emergency doors on the bus should be used only in case of an emergency

Campers shall not bring animals, firearms, weapons or other potentially hazardous materials

on the bus

Campers need to remain seated while the bus is in motion

Campers shall not open or close windows without permission. They may not extend their

hands, arms or heads through the bus window

Loud or vulgar language is prohibited

Campers shall keep the bus clean and must refrain from causing damage

Campers need to be courteous to the driver, to fellow riders and passerby.

Fighting, wrestling or boisterous activity is prohibited on the bus

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Health Care at Camp

It is very important that parents review the “typical daily activities” at camp to make sure that their child is healthy enough to participate in these activities. If after reviewing the daily activities you believe your child may not be able to participate in some or all of the activities please indicate that on the health form included in your registration form. It is also important to include any past medical treatments that may affect your child’s ability to participate in camp activities. We continue to improve our facilities so that we can be welcoming and accommodating to all but not all of Ascension School’s buildings are ADA compliant. If your child has special needs or has mobility challenges please call our office so that we can best serve you. You can contact Ascension School, 541-568-4514 or patty @coveascensionschool.com to discuss any concerns with the nurse or director. Health Screening Each camper with parent/guardian if present is interviewed upon arrival to Ascension School. This screening is to ascertain status of chronic health problems or current health concerns that may need attention at camp. This interview is conducted by the camp nurse and is strictly confidential. If campers are taking medication this is the time that they give their medication (in its original container) to the nurse. All medication are kept in the nurse’s cabin and locked in a cabinet. The nurse administers medication while children are at camp. Typical times that medications are administered are at meal time and bed time if necessary. Parents are contacted by the camp nurse or the program director if indicated: 1. More information is needed concerning health status of the child. 2. A health situation needs parental involvement for decision making. 3. A physician or hospital needs to be contacted for medical care. Situation requiring that campers return home: 1. Development of a serious contagious disease 2. Illness that becomes progressively serious a. Fever over 101 b. Vomiting 3. Mental health conditions a. Present a risk to camper’s own health or that of other campers b. Camper is unable to function in group living situation after all resources and strategies

available to Ascension School staff have been attempted.

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In the event of severe illness or communicable disease the executive director or program director will notify parents. In addition, the health department and the diocesan office will be notified. A notice will be sent home with all campers explaining the occurrence of any communicable disease.

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General Facility Policies

Personal Property: The school is not responsible for the loss of or damage to personal equipment or belongings. Any personal equipment brought to be used for program activities must be approved by the Program Director to insure that it is appropriate and safe to be used in the school program, including sporting equipment. Please label all belongings.

Smoking, Drugs, Alcohol: The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages are not permitted on school grounds or trips during summer camp. Smoking and chewing tobacco are not permitted in any building and is strongly discouraged. Any illegal drug activity is prohibited.

Safety and Security: The possession and/or use of firearms, ammunition, fireworks or explosives is prohibited. The use of candles or open flames is prohibited without prior approval of the site manager. Safety, security, and maintenance concerns should be reported to the Site Manager or the Program Director.

Visitors: All visitors to camp will report to the Executive Director and the Program Director. After a visitor has checked in they will receive a visitor’s badge.

Care Packages and Mail If you would like to send your child something to share, that is welcomed. Please keep in mind that we are blessed to have as much food and snacks as we need while we are here at camp. Letters of praise and encouragement are nice ways to support your child while they are at Ascension School.

Mail: Ascension School Camp P.O. Box 278 Cove, Oregon 97824

Physical Address: Ascension School Camp 1104 Church Street Cove, Oregon 97824

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Ascension School Community Guidelines

When people come together and live in community with one another, it is essential that there are clear community guidelines in place. Adherence to these guidelines will help ensure a safe and positive experience for all involved. All members of the camp community are expected to follow three basic rules: Be Safe, Respect Yourself and Others, and Take Care of Our Camp. Specific expectations that correspond to these three rules:

1. Be safe

Campers are expected to display safe and appropriate behavior toward all other campers and staff. No hitting, tackling, or other potentially hazardous behaviors are allowed.

There is to be no running on the porch, on the deck, or inside any camp buildings.

Shoes must be worn at all times when outside the cabins.

No drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, weapons, firecrackers, or other contraband are allowed on campus. Campers have until 9pm the first night of camp to turn in any of these items to the program director, no questions asked. After that point, possession of any of these items is grounds for being sent home.

No one may leave camp without the permission of the program director. Senior high campers who drive to camp must turn in their car keys upon arrival.

Campers are expected to stay with the group during all off-camp trips, including the walk to and from the pool.

Campers are not allowed in the kitchen, in staff living quarters, or other areas designated as off limits. No girls are allowed in the boys’ cabins and no boys are allowed in the girls’ cabin.

Campers are expected to remain in their cabins after lights out and until the bell rings in the morning.

2. Respect yourself and others

Be kind to one another, be tolerant of one another’s views, and avoid name-calling and other hurtful language.

Respect others’ privacy, property, and living space. This includes asking permission to use things that belong to others.

Campers are expected to share their time and attention with the community of people they are part of here at camp. For this reason, cell phones and iPods are to be turned in upon registration.

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No inappropriate sexual behavior.

Take care of yourself both physically and mentally while at camp: get enough sleep, drink water, use sunscreen, and tell the nurse or a staff person if you are ill or otherwise not doing well.

3. Take care of our camp

Respect camp buildings, equipment, and other property. Writing on bunks, walls, or other camp property is not allowed.

Help clean up after activities, put things away where they belong, and pick up trash inside and outside of buildings.

Turn off lights when not in use.

All participants are expected to conduct themselves appropriately around camp visitors and during off campus trips. Ascension School is part of the community of Cove, and it is important that townspeople have a positive impression of our camp.